Sheinbaum wants its own satellite, but Mexico cannot manufacture them

President Claudia Sheinbaum has included among her 100 government promises the launch of its own satellite to bring internet services to the most remote regions of the country, although without offering technical details. However, you will face a challenge: Mexico does not have a legal framework that allows the manufacture of satellites. This will force the government to seek alliances with private companies or modify laws to develop a satellite industry in the country.

Mexico has positioned itself as one of the great manufacturing ecosystems of the aerospace industry. For example, it currently produces around 20 components for satellites of the Starlink constellation, such as the combustion chambers of SpaceX’s Raptor engines, manufactured in Monterrey and Chihuahua, allowing the country to be a key player in this industry, reaching exports close to 12 billion dollars according to data from the aerospace industry itself. But still without the complete production of its own satellites.

Expansión requested an interview with the Mexican Space Agency (AEM), but was not available for the text.

Until now, one of the limitations for national production is the lack of a legal framework that details the technical specifications and certifications for this type of objects. The project, to modify articles that allow satellites to be produced in Mexico, has been approved by Commissions, but due to the political situation the discussion was stopped. It is expected that it will be resumed soon because it is one of the new president’s bets.

For Benjamín Najar Jr., general director of Thrusters Unlimited, a geoinformation company through the operation of earth observation satellites, the legal framework would allow certainty for foreign and national investment to trigger the development of this industry. But the main driver of this industry is to achieve alliances with the private sector that guarantee the economic capital to manufacture this type of objects and an ecosystem that allows us to have all the technologies and ideal sites to manufacture this type of objects. Manufacturing a satellite, according to Najar, takes an average of two years and requires an investment of approximately 30 million euros (a little more than 32 million dollars).

“Today there is an opportunity for the government to create alliances with private companies and modify the laws to develop a satellite industry in the country, allowing 100% certified Mexican products to be made in the country for the world,” said the manager.

Benjamín Najar has estimated that the type of satellite that the president could require is a communications or stationary one, but this would imply an investment of 400 million dollars, including launch. Another option that is on the horizon would be the so-called satellite constellations, where the president could place five internet connectivity satellites and this would imply a capital injection of 150 million dollars.

“There are still no clear details of the proposal. But the trend is to make constellations of more satellites because it implies a lower cost. Launching a satellite involves a large investment for both the government and the private sector. But SpaceX has shown us that by working between the public and private sectors, many launches can be made,” said the CEO of Thrusters Unlimited.

According to the Starlink interactive map, the company has a constellation of 5,601 satellites in orbit to date. While SpaceX claims that it has launched 5,977 satellites, which implies that in space there are 11,578 satellites orbiting space thanks to Elon Musk’s companies. This is without counting those placed by other industry players and the governments themselves.

Launches, the country’s other opportunity

The consulting firm Euroconsult estimates that around 2,800 satellites will be launched annually, which is equivalent to eight satellites per day and a total mass of four tons between 2023 and 2032.

Until now, the epicenter of launches is with SpaceX in Cape Canaveral, but Mexico could meet this demand if it develops launch ports, since it has an incomparable geographical position due to its proximity to the Ecuador and the ease of integrating into space orbits, he says. Najar Jr., and especially because there are only six places to make these launches, which will increase their demand in the following years and will not be able to supply them.

But this possibility can only materialize if the new Mexican government successfully implements its plan through partnerships with the private sector. So far, the president’s team, says the CEO of Thrusters Unlimited, has reached out to the industry to ask what is needed, the challenges we have and everything that is happening in this sector.

“We are all very excited because it is the first time that a president says something very specific about the promotion of the aerospace and satellite industry and we see how they are proposing it. I think that together we will be able to push the country in this field that is increasingly important.” commented Benjamín Najar Jr.